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Man shot by police in Coventry killed lawfully, jury concludes Man shot by police in Coventry killed lawfully, jury concludes
(30 minutes later)
Sean Fitzgerald, 31, was killed on 4 January 2019 in Burnaby Road, CoventrySean Fitzgerald, 31, was killed on 4 January 2019 in Burnaby Road, Coventry
A man shot dead by police during a drugs raid was killed lawfully, a jury has concluded.A man shot dead by police during a drugs raid was killed lawfully, a jury has concluded.
Sean Fitzgerald, 31, was killed on 4 January 2019 in Burnaby Road, Coventry, where West Midlands Police officers were investigating the activities of a suspected organised crime gang.Sean Fitzgerald, 31, was killed on 4 January 2019 in Burnaby Road, Coventry, where West Midlands Police officers were investigating the activities of a suspected organised crime gang.
The officer who fired the fatal shot - Officer K - told Coventry Coroner's Court he had been standing in the property's back garden when he saw a curtain move and a man holding a black object he believed was a gun.The officer who fired the fatal shot - Officer K - told Coventry Coroner's Court he had been standing in the property's back garden when he saw a curtain move and a man holding a black object he believed was a gun.
Mr Fitzgerald, who was unarmed, died from a single gunshot wound to the chest after exiting the property at about 18:20 GMT.Mr Fitzgerald, who was unarmed, died from a single gunshot wound to the chest after exiting the property at about 18:20 GMT.
Six years after his death, an inquest jury was asked to consider two possible conclusions, of lawful or unlawful killing, by Officer K.Six years after his death, an inquest jury was asked to consider two possible conclusions, of lawful or unlawful killing, by Officer K.
The officer, as well as a number of others, have had their anonymity protected during proceedings, which began on 7 April.The officer, as well as a number of others, have had their anonymity protected during proceedings, which began on 7 April.
Liam Fitzgerald, Sean's brother, held his head in his hands as the jury announced its conclusion.Liam Fitzgerald, Sean's brother, held his head in his hands as the jury announced its conclusion.
The jury also identified three failures in the police operation, including the level of intelligence and an inadequate prior surveillance of premises.The jury also identified three failures in the police operation, including the level of intelligence and an inadequate prior surveillance of premises.
'Thought I was going to be shot''Thought I was going to be shot'
The events that led to the fatal shooting began in 2017, when Warwickshire Police started investigating an organised crime gang it believed was dealing Class A drugs in the Nuneaton, Bedworth and Coventry areas.The events that led to the fatal shooting began in 2017, when Warwickshire Police started investigating an organised crime gang it believed was dealing Class A drugs in the Nuneaton, Bedworth and Coventry areas.
As the gang's activities escalated, the investigation was handed over to the West Midlands' Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU).As the gang's activities escalated, the investigation was handed over to the West Midlands' Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU).
ROCU received intelligence claiming lead gang members were expected to be at 56 Burnaby Road for a regular meeting on the day of the shooting.ROCU received intelligence claiming lead gang members were expected to be at 56 Burnaby Road for a regular meeting on the day of the shooting.
Within hours, a search warrant and firearms assistance was agreed for a raid on the house.Within hours, a search warrant and firearms assistance was agreed for a raid on the house.
The jury was told there was limited information about the layout of the house, but that members of the gang had access to weapons.The jury was told there was limited information about the layout of the house, but that members of the gang had access to weapons.
During the inquest, Officer K described to jurors how he had been in the property's garden when he saw a man holding what he thought was a gun.During the inquest, Officer K described to jurors how he had been in the property's garden when he saw a man holding what he thought was a gun.
"I thought he was about to shoot us," Officer K said. "I fired one shot at the male to stop his actions."I thought he was about to shoot us," Officer K said. "I fired one shot at the male to stop his actions.
"It seemed to take an eternity, I was aware it was quick but at the time it seemed to slow down. I thought I was going to be shot.""It seemed to take an eternity, I was aware it was quick but at the time it seemed to slow down. I thought I was going to be shot."
It was later found that the object in Mr Fitzgerald's hand was a mobile phone.It was later found that the object in Mr Fitzgerald's hand was a mobile phone.
Liam Fitzgerald told the jurors his brother Sean, pictured, "didn't have a bad bone in his body"Liam Fitzgerald told the jurors his brother Sean, pictured, "didn't have a bad bone in his body"
Liam admitted during the inquest that his brother had minor involvements with the police over the years and said, although he "wasn't a saint... he didn't have a bad bone in his body". Liam admitted during the inquest his brother had minor involvements with the police over the years and said, although he "wasn't a saint... he didn't have a bad bone in his body".
"He'd had a tough time, losing his mum and then our dad when he was still you know, still relatively young," he told the court. "He'd had a tough time, losing his mum and then our dad when he was still... relatively young," he told the court.
"Sean was a good guy, easily led, especially it was something exciting."
Liam described how his younger brother had joined the Army in 2009 and won the title of "best recruit" during his two years of service.Liam described how his younger brother had joined the Army in 2009 and won the title of "best recruit" during his two years of service.
Scott Moore, who was in the house during the raid, told coroner Sir John Saunders he knew it was a police raid when he heard a chainsaw being used to gain access to the front door.Scott Moore, who was in the house during the raid, told coroner Sir John Saunders he knew it was a police raid when he heard a chainsaw being used to gain access to the front door.
The whole incident lasted two or three seconds, he said.The whole incident lasted two or three seconds, he said.
Jurors deliberated for six days at Warwick Justice Centre before they reached their conclusion. Jurors deliberated for five and a half days at Warwick Justice Centre before they reached their conclusion.
Callie Fitzgerald, Sean's niece, said the family were "incredibly disappointed" with Wednesday's verdict
Callie Fitzgerald, Sean's niece, read a statement on behalf of the family after the conclusion of the inquest on Wednesday.
She said they were "incredibly disappointed" with the verdict but welcomed the jury's critical findings over the police's "planning, preparation and implementation".
Callie added listening to graphic details of her uncle's final moments had been "distressing" and "something that no family should have to endure".
"We've missed Sean every day for the last six years. We now have a lifetime of missing him to go," she said.
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